Transformation-empowerment
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 1:3-5
[God] has given us new birth … into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade …
1 Peter 1:3-4
How does transformation occur in our lives? In the next several days we will learn about ways in which God brings about transformation.
Any approach to transformation that puts self at the center is doomed to failure. Self-improvement and self-enlightenment cannot produce lasting personal transformation. Divine empowerment is the only sure method to change. That’s why the apostle Peter begins his letter by stating, “[God] has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” We are empowered from the inside out as God gives us spiritual birth and causes us to grow in stature and grace.
A huge man stepped on the scale, not knowing it was defective. A tiny boy watched closely to see how much this person weighed. The needle rose quickly, but to the boy’s astonishment it stopped at 50 pounds, close to what the boy himself weighed. The boy looked at the man, then at the scale, then at the man again, and said to his mother, “Mom, that guy must be hollow inside.”
A lot of us are hollow inside. Without the power of Christ’s resurrection, we are empty. But if we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we have received imperishable treasure. And that treasure is freely given by grace. It is the life of Jesus Christ living within us.
We praise you, God Almighty, for the indwelling power of Christ’s resurrection. May our joy never fade and our eternal treasure never spoil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Dean Deppe
Dean Deppe has been a pastor in inner-city, suburban, and rural churches. Currently he teaches New Testament theology at Calvin Theological Seminary. His courses include one on the parables of Jesus. He and his wife have four grown children.
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